Three people have been taken to hospital with burns after a gas explosion at the Manchester Food and Drink Festival in the city centre. Emergency services were called to the scene at 8.45pm after a propane gas cylinder was reported to have caught fire at one of the stalls.

Three fire crews fought to extinguish the flames and isolate the fire, which was said to involve three cylinders, while the police evacuated the Albert Square area and put a cordon in place.

The injured included a 38-year-old man who had burns to his hands, legs and face, while two other people had less serious injuries.